How to Ask for a Pay Rise as an Apprentice
Asking for a pay rise as an apprentice can feel awkward, especially when you’re still learning the ropes. But when it’s done properly, it’s not about entitlement — it’s about timing, value, and proving you’re worth the extra investment on site.
Good pay talks come after solid work, not before it.
Before you even think about asking for more money, make sure you’re being paid at least the legal minimum for your trade and apprentice year level. If you’re not, that’s not a pay rise discussion, that’s a Fair Work issue, and it needs to be addressed first. Once your base rate is sorted, it’s fair to start thinking about how to move up.
Pay rises don’t come just because time has passed. From your boss’s point of view, higher pay is tied directly to value. Reliability, attitude, taking feedback on the chin, and being someone they can trust on site all matter far more than how long you’ve been around.
Timing Matters More Than You Think
One of the fastest ways to get knocked back is asking too early or too often. A good rule is to only raise the topic every six to twelve months, and only after you’ve been consistently stepping up for a decent stretch of time. Not a good week — months of showing up, improving, and taking responsibility.
When the timing is right, the conversation feels natural. When it’s not, it feels forced. Your job is to make sure you’ve earned the chat before you start it.
Step Up Before You Ask
The quickest way to earn more is to start doing more before you’re paid for it. Look for ways to take pressure off your boss and the crew. That might mean prepping materials, organising gear, keeping the ute sorted, reducing mistakes, or helping jobs run smoother without being asked.
Once you become someone your boss relies on day to day, you stop being seen as “just an apprentice” and start being seen as part of the engine that keeps the job moving. That’s when pay rises become about retention, not favours.
How to Have the Conversation
When the time feels right, keep it simple and respectful. A conversation like this does the job:
“Hey boss, I just wanted to have a quick chat. Over the last six months I’ve been stepping up by taking on more responsibility, like [real examples]. I’m keen to keep improving and backing the business.
I was wondering if you’d be open to a small pay rise based on what I’ve been doing. I think [$X increase or new rate] is fair — what do you reckon?”
If it’s a yes, great. If it’s not yet, you’ve opened the door to clear feedback on what needs to improve before asking again.
Consistency Is What Gets You Paid
Pay rises don’t come from one good week. They come from showing up, learning fast, taking responsibility, and backing your crew over time.
Do that consistently, and when you ask for more, it won’t feel uncomfortable: it’ll feel earned.
